The EFL Carabao Cup is down to the last 16 teams, and after next Thursday, that number will be whittled to just eight.
This tournament is usually the place managers can rotate the squad and get some youth players out on the pitches around the country. Maybe you have not heard of some of them, but don’t worry: we have you covered.
Here are some of the top talents from each team that you should be on the lookout for when the games kick off starting Tuesday.
Young Players to Watch in The Carabao Cup
As the round of 16 of the Carabao Cup approaches, we look at one exciting talent from each team left in the tournament that you should keep your eye on. The league cup is an opportunity many teams utilize to rotate their team and integrate young players into the first team. Here’s who you should look out for.
Southampton – Nathan Wood
A ball-playing centre back comfortable playing either side of defense, Nathan Wood is skilled carrying and pas the ball out of defense.
Stoke City – Souleymane Sidibe
Powerful ball-carrying central midfielder with quality progressing the ball through cross field diagonals. Sidibe has so much composure on the ball.
Brentford – Yehor Yarmoliuk
Physical winger/attacking-midfielder hybrid turned centre-midfielder. Yarmoliuk loves to drive forward with the ball and play through balls to runners in behind the defense.
Sheffield Wednesday – Shea Charles
Ex-Man City academy defensive midfielder Shea Charles is on loan from Southampton. A ball-winning, physically dominant player with the versatility to play in defense too.
Brighton – Brajan Gruda
One of Brighton’s many exciting signings in the summer. Gruda can play across a variety of attacking positions and is most dangerous around the half-spaces. Don’t give him space to shoot/cross on his deadly left foot.
Liverpool – Trey Nyoni
Rangy, elegant midfielder with the flair and technical brilliance in the final third and tight spaces and the big strides to eat up ground carrying the ball. An effortless player who can provide moments of magic.
Preston North End – Kian Best
Left back with quality passing range and crossing ability. End to end traditional full back with quality delivery.
Arsenal – Ethan Nwaneri
Nwaneri is one of England’s best young talents. An attacking midfielder with outstanding ball manipulation in tight spaces, a killer instinct in front of goal, good physicality and the ability to dictate the tempo of the game.
Manchester United – Toby Collyer
Collyer is a powerful ball-carrier with athleticism and physical dominance in duels. He covers so much ground as a box-to-box midfielder and is composed under pressure receiving on the half turn in deep areas.
Leicester City – Michael Golding
A midfielder skilled on the half-turn and driving away with the ball, Golding is an all-action player that contributes in all phases of play.
Newcastle United – Trevan Sanusi
Pacy, skillful winger with the close control in tight areas and the flair to bring out skills to beat a man in a 1v1 scenario.
Chelsea – Shumaira “Shim” Mheuka
Powerful, physical #9 up top with confidence to take on a defender and the ability to finish off both feet. Mheuka has ice cold composure in front of goal and a powerful strike too.
Aston Villa – Kadan Young
A relentless, explosive winger with a low centre of gravity, a tight turn radius and good physicality to shield the ball as he carries it past defenders.
Crystal Palace – Asher Agbinone
A physically mature left winger with the ability to chop his stride to change direction rapidly and then open up his big stride to power away. Also has a rocket of a finish on him too.
Tottenham – Mikey Moore
Moore is the star of Tottenham’s next generation with such a high ceiling. In the pockets, Moore can find spaces to exploit and is excellent at linking the midfield and attack.
Manchester City – Jacob Wright
Wright plays as a #6 for Man City’s youth teams where he’s shown intelligence in build-up play, ball security, the ability to break up play and pass through the lines.
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